Debate in Dutch Parliament about President Trump

Geert Wilders:
President Donald Trump, what a relief! What a relief in comparison with the leftist dictatorship of the fearful cowardly and willfully blind leaders that we have in the rest of Europe and also here in this Chamber. It makes one cry. I tell you, finally America has a President, finally a Western country has a President who not only fulfills his promises, but also states that the security of his own citizens is his primary concern.

I tell you, Foreign Minister, that, in two weeks' time, President Trump has passed an immigration policy that is more effective than that of your entire cabinet as long as it has existed. As long as it has existed. They did it. And I tell you something else. If we in the Netherlands, in Europe, had done what Mr Trump does – namely close the borders to people from places such as Syria – then these people, including terrorists, would not have come our way and then a lot of innocent people, innocent victims of terrorism in Europe, would still be alive today.

Foreign Minister Bert Koenders:
I would like to say to Mr Wilders that what he proposes is exactly what is ineffective in the fight against terrorism, namely the famous divide and rule. Ensure that the people in your own society no longer have any rights. Ensure that you look away when it comes to human rights. Ensure that the Iraqis, with whom our soldiers at the moment are fighting against ISIS, have no rights anymore and that the countries, from which terrorists obviously do not come, are the ones on this list.

The chaos we now see in the international world when it comes to air travel, does nothing to do increase the security of our people. On the contrary, it tears people apart. I will tell you one thing from my experience as foreign minister who frequently visits the Middle East: If you want to fight terrorism the worst thing you can do is to trample human rights, conduct a divide-and-rule policy and so-called screen people, whether they be Christians, Jews or Muslims, and not look at what can really protect us. I address you, because we are at the moment at a central point in the Netherlands and the world. We need to fight against terrorism together. If we fail to do it together, but exclude, then I guarantee you that the fight against terrorism will not be effective and that your position is one of insecurity.

Wilders:
A lot of words, but absolutely no content. What this minister, Mrs Merkel and Prime Minister Rutte have done – what is written large on their foreheads – is open borders. Come on in everyone, do come in. Even when you have a fake passport or no identity card, come on in everyone. And we've seen what happens then. We have seen that with the asylum influx, the tsunami of asylum seekers, which was already disruptive in itself, terrorists have come along from countries such as Syria – because you agreed with it, because you refused to check them – who, all over Europe, from Paris to Berlin, have murdered innocent people. You'd better stop talking about security! Just stop it. Because of the open borders and bringing people from Islamic countries here, attacks were committed in Europe. Stop the lies!

Koenders:
Balderdash, Mr Wilders, balderdash! Really, how are you even able to concoct such an amalgam. As if the Dutch government is responsible for the terror attacks. First, the people who commit these attacks are responsible. Second, you know damn well that, when it comes to refugee policy and counter-terrorism, you toss it all together, as if there is no screening, as if the threat of terror comes only from the outside – often people from one's own society are involved – and as if trampling human rights and large groups of people does not lead exactly to what we want to avoid, namely radicalization and terror. You prescribe the wrong medicine. It will not work and you will make the country unsafe with it.

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6 Reader Comments

Lois Hooks • Feb 4, 2017 at 16:16

I just want to congratulate Geert Wilders on his good sense, solid judgement and courageous stance in the public debate. We need hundreds more who will stand up against the strong delusional left wingers who seem to have no idea what they are getting themselves into by defending Muslim immigration. We pray for Wilders' protection and continued courage.

Lois Hooks

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Pat Walker • Feb 2, 2017 at 16:48

President Trump ordered a temporary closing of the U.S. borders to Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Libya, Somalia and Sudan. There was no "ban". These were the same seven countries named as terrorist risks by Obama. The temporary closing was to give the Trump administration time to put policies in place as to what manner the vetting of immigrants from those countries was to entail. Bear in mind that President Trump has replaced many in the new administration, so a review of old policies and establishing new ones is a priority.

This temporary curtailing is not permanent and has been misunderstood by many, due largely to the inaccuracy of the press, whether intended or not. It just happens to be that many of today's terrorists are from Muslim countries.

What is not welcome are terrorists, potential terrorists and those recruiting new terrorists, home grown in the United States. Terrorists can be from any country, even within your own. The United States is home to many who have left the U.S. to join the radical jihadists. She is also home to those who have committed violent acts, motivated by propaganda from Islamic terrorists. Permanently shutting down all borders worldwide to any Muslim simply because of religion is wrong. What is desperately needed is strict vetting procedures, for any immigrant, regardless of religion.

Many Muslims believe in peace, yet it has its radicals. Many Christians also believe in peace, yet Christianity also has its radicals. Many in Judaism believe in peace, yet Judaism has its radicals. The danger of any religion is the degree in which it leans towards fanaticism. In most instances, it is never the religion, but the individuals within it that have tipped the scales of rational, mental balance.

I understand what Geert Wilders is saying; I cannot agree with him entirely, but only in part. We must have tolerance and respect for another's religion and beliefs, yet at the same time, we have to keep the citizens of any given country safe. Permanently shutting out all refugees from Syria or another country is not the answer. Neither is opening wide the borders to all without proper vetting. Both the former and the latter can become a recipe for a potential disaster.

The answer should lay in the middle. It is the same answer for those people who are deemed as "right or left". The balance is in the middle and embraces the best from both sides and rejects the fanaticism from either side. It replaces "political correctness" with moral and ethical, God-given common sense. All are endowed with common sense. All do not make use of it, justifying its replacement with a myriad of excuses.

Do you parents not protect your children from potential kidnappers, pedophiles, etc., by watching them at all times? Yet, in the thousands of people your child may encounter, how many have intent to harm your child? But, you still protect them...just in case...and because, as a parent, that is your responsibility. And because you know that children of other parents have been harmed and/or killed, you are motivated to shield your own, fiercely if necessary, but determined by prudence and common sense.

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Chadwick Davis • Feb 2, 2017 at 15:53

As an American who voted for Trump. First my response to whomever Koenders is; You say human rights!?
No person who is not an American citizen has any rights to America! So every person on the planet has the right to board a plane and go wherever they want to go? A refugee has a "right" to go to any country?
Non citizens don't have the same rights as citizens.You don't see the Muslims having any concern about anyone's rights do you?
You want to invite refugees to your country that believe women are property, sex with children is okay, gays can be thrown off the nearest tall building. They believe you are under them because your not Muslim. Their goal according to the quran is to convert you and the rest of the world anyway possible, thru lies, deceit, theft. They believe they are entitled to your money and goods. Using immigration and reproduction and multiple wives they eventually will outnumber you so beware. Multiculturalism is a failure whenever Islam is involved and until many more in Europe support Geert Europe is doomed to become majority Muslim.

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David Olds • Feb 2, 2017 at 11:08

If passive, doing nothing, solved the problem of Islamic terrorism it would be solved by now, wouldn't it? We have been doing nothing for decades and it only gets worse. The thing that politically correct politicians can't accept is that a religion is responsible for murdering innocent people. But that is in fact the case. Islam is the problem. Nominal/cultural Muslims are OK, but with any Muslim there is the chance that they or their children will become Pius. A pious Muslim follows the example of Mohammed, who was a violent man.

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Jeff Page • Feb 2, 2017 at 10:29

Koenders is just one of the cretins that are typical of the EU Parliament. Worried about the human rights of immigrants above those of Europeans. I wonder if he could tell me just where in the Middle East countries that I would be aided and my human rights honoured? Not many! Still keeping up the argument about open borders, but let's face it, he can't really do anything else otherwise his argument falls down! They need to take a long hard look at themselves and they just might begin to realise what their policies are doing to the people of a whole continent. But I suspect that that would be far too painful for them and needless to say some still wouldn't see the damage they have caused.

All we can hope for now is that changes in government come soon to Holland, Germany, Italy, and to other countries who's leaders are wrapped up in multiculturalism. These silly politicians are far from being close to witnessing the atrocities carried out by some of these "refugees" running from war zones! Far from seeing the damage done to young girls, and some young boys and women who have been brutally raped by some of these "refugees" who have "run from a war zone". In fact, the best these bright sparks have come up with has been to provide alarms or to tell young girls and women to wear different clothing! This is their answer to a serious problem, safeguard the rights of immigrants and stuff the rights of those abused and raped by them!

Geert Wilders didn't go down well with the cretins in the parliament because they don't want to hear the truth. Just as Nigel Farage has been a thorn in their side, now they have another in Geert Wilders. Maybe one day, the cowards will grow a backbone, but it won't be soon!

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Hanna • Feb 2, 2017 at 06:43

Foreign Minister Bert Koenders you are 100% wrong!!! One does not have to go very far to see the miserable results of the latest European policies, where everyone is welcome --- criminals, rapists, murderers, no vetting or papers needed, JUST COME IN, YOU ARE WELCOME. And the results --- a new Muslim continent --- in Europe, of all places. That is all that was "missing" in Europe, ANOTHER MUSLIM CONTINENT, with all its crimes, murders and, above all, all the massive daily raping of women and children --- a Muslim hobby. In other words, another Middle East disaster, right in the middle of Europe. And don't kid yourselves --- this is just the beginning. The worst is still to come, unless the rest of the world finally wakes up. So, thank you Mr. Wilder for the warning, but don't hold your breath... and thank you Gatestone.